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Radiative forcing of SO2 and NOx: A case study in Beijing

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Abstract

A case study was performed in Beijing in 2000 to observe concentrations of SO2 and NOx in the atmosphere and to evaluate their radiative impact. It was found that the concentrations of these gases are usually high in the morning due to a temperature inversion in the boundary layer. The average concentrations obtained from the observations are much higher than those used in the McClatchey reference atmosphere. The radiative impacts of these gases are calculated using a line-by-line radiative transfer model. The results show that the radiative forcing at the surface due to SO2 is 0.0576 W m−2 and that due to NOx is 0.0032 W m−2. These figures are almost compatible with that due to CFC11.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, GPO BOX 1289K, Melbourne, 3001, Australia

    Sun Zhian  (孙治安)

  2. Beijing Regional Meteorological Centre, Beijing, China

    Wang Xiaoyun  (王晓云)

  3. Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China

    Zeng Xianning  (曾宪宁)

Authors
  1. Sun Zhian  (孙治安)
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  2. Wang Xiaoyun  (王晓云)
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  3. Zeng Xianning  (曾宪宁)
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Sun, Z., Wang, X. & Zeng, X. Radiative forcing of SO2 and NOx: A case study in Beijing. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 23, 317–322 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-006-0317-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-006-0317-6

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